saam1 m4 sik1 cat1三唔識七三唔识七
Jyutpingsaam1 m4 sik1 cat1
Yalesāam m̀h sīk chāt
Definition
To not know someone at all; to be complete strangers.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
This expression emphasizes a complete lack of acquaintance, often implying that there is no reason to trust or interact with the person in question. It is frequently used to justify refusing a request or to express wariness about a stranger. The structure is idiomatic and does not literally translate to numbers, serving instead as a fixed phrase for total unfamiliarity.
Examples
I don't know them at all, why should I help them?
Related words
Common phrases
to be complete strangers with someone
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a verb to mean 'to not know someone', but it functions as an adjective or descriptive phrase. You must use it with a prepositional phrase like 同佢 or 喺街見到, rather than just saying 我三唔識七佢.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
